Title - 'Behind The Shade'
Artist - James Williamson and the Pink Hearts
For those not in the know, James Williamson, a 2010 inductee into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of The Stooges, is now set to make his most stylistically diverse musical statement to date with his new group, James Williamson and the Pink Hearts.
Fronted by Los Angeles-based vocalists Frank Meyer (The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs) and Petra Haden (That Dog, The Haden Triplets), The Pink Hearts' repertoire encompasses everything from feral rockers to soul-searching balladry.
Collectively, James Williamson and the Pink Hearts will release Behind The Shade on LP+CD, standalone CD, and digitally (via Leopard Lady Records) on July 11th, 2018.
1. 'Riot On The Strip'
2. 'Judith Christ'
3. 'Pink Hearts Across The Sky'
4. 'You Send Me Down'
5. 'Destiny Now'
6. 'This Garden Lies'
7. 'Purple Moon'
8. 'Miss Misery'
9. 'The Revolution Stomp'
10. 'Behind The Shade'
11. 'Died A Little Today'
Recorded last year in Berkeley (instrumentation) and Los Angeles (vocals), Behind The Shade is a thoroughly modern rock album which also evokes the most stirring elements of '70s rock 'n' roll.
It kicks off in fine, roaring, fuzzy guitar style with the punk stomp of 'Riot On The Strip' and, for my money, showcases Williamson’s best guitar to (recent) date. That's backed seamlessly by both the slow rock angst of 'Judith Christ' and then the Haden-led beauty, 'Pink Hearts Across The Sky.'
The solid one-two punch of 'You Send Me Down' is yet another memorable flashback to Williamson's days gone by, as is the rhythmic hook of 'You Send Me Down,' but it's within the depths of 'This Garden Lies' where new ingenuity is found. Inclusive of blazing horns and one mighty fine trumpet solo, the track is quite easily a stand out musical gem here.
The interesting 'Purple Moon' is then backed by an acoustic 'Miss Misery,' which most definitely captures the folk side of both musical demeanor's on display here. Punk rock soon returns to the fore though on the rousing 'The Revolution Stamp', which is backed by the darkly creative title track, 'Behind The Shade.'
A cut that finally allows Meyer to, what sounds like, shred his throat to bits vocally, it's also the inclusion of Haden and some stirring violin playing that also make this track a stand out reason to buy this album.
In truth, Meyers vocals throughout are, and for all the right reasons, everything that sums up and encapsulated this era of bygone music. On that note, this highly avant-garde project then rounds out with the mid-tempo punk wallow of 'Died A Little Today.'
'Riot On The Strip' - Official Video
CD Purchase Link
www.StraightJamesWilliamson.com
James Williamson and the Pink Hearts @ Facebook!